Badass: The Legend of Lofty Large

TL;DR

Donald "Lofty" Large, a legendary SAS soldier, overcame injuries, fear of heights, and bike accidents to complete the grueling selection process twice and carry out countless combat missions.

Transcript

The British Special Air Service, better known simply as the SAS has one of the toughest and most unforgiving selection processes of any military unit on Earth. With a washout rate of around 95%, depending on which source you consult, there are only a handful of individuals who can claim to have completed this fiendishly difficult course, and only ... Read More

Key Insights

• ☠️ The SAS selection process is one of the toughest and most unforgiving in the world, with an exceptionally high washout rate.
• 🇭🇲 Donald "Lofty" Large's determination and willingness to overcome obstacles made him a legend within the SAS.
• 😨 Large's fear of heights and size presented challenges during parachute training, but he managed to overcome them.
• 💄 Large's actions as a soldier showcased both his toughness and compassion, making him a respected figure within the SAS.
• 😀 Despite facing multiple setbacks, Large completed the SAS selection process twice, proving his exceptional skill and resilience.
• 🚂 Large's contributions to the SAS extended beyond his time in active duty, as he trained the next generation of commandos.
• ↩️ Large's final years were relatively uneventful, but he returned to the jungles of Borneo for a documentary about the SAS's exploits.

Questions & Answers

Q: What made Donald "Lofty" Large stand out as a soldier?

Large's determination and resilience set him apart, as he endured injuries, hardships as a POW, and countless physical challenges to become a legendary SAS soldier.

Q: How did Large overcome his fear of heights during parachute training?

Despite his large size and the challenges it posed, Large managed to detach tangled lines from his parachute and successfully land, displaying composure and resourcefulness.

Q: Did Large face any disciplinary issues during his time with the SAS?

While stationed in Oman, Large infamously punched a donkey that annoyed him, displaying his tough persona. However, he also demonstrated compassion by calling off a mission due to the presence of a civilian woman on a boat.

Q: What was Large's contribution to the SAS after retiring from active duty?

Large trained future SAS commandos, passing on his knowledge and skills to the next generation. He later participated in a documentary about his regiment's exploits in Borneo.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Donald "Lofty" Large, a towering figure at 6'6", joined the military at a young age and fought in the Korean War, enduring injuries, capture, and harsh conditions as a POW.

• Despite being discharged on medical grounds, Large rebuilt his muscles and returned to active service, eventually joining the SAS after expressing his desire to escape the monotony of military drills.

• Large persevered through his fear of heights during parachute training and even passed the SAS selection process twice after recovering from a shattered ankle.